Dear people who draw the names from the lottery for the New York Marathon,

Can we please, please, please have just ONE spot in the marathon this year? We will do absolutely anything to be able to run it. We are being serious. If we don’t get in, we suppose we’ll settle for a pair of those orange shoe laces…

Thanks for considering,
xoxo Urbanista

Ok, now that our plea is out on the table… Every first Sunday of November, 37,000 runners lace up their sneaks and pound 26.2 miles pavement through New York’s five boroughs in one of the most spectacular road racing events in the world. But not just anyone can participate. You have to either qualify (by running another marathon really, really fast) or you have to have your name drawn from the lottery (lottery entry starts in February-ish and goes until the end of May). Other ways to get into the race: you can sign up to hoof it for a charity such as Fred’s Team (although this involves raising a bunch of money); or you can gain automatic entry if 1) you are a New York Road Runners member who has run a certain amount of qualifying races during the year, or 2) you have unsuccessfully entered the lottery the previous three years.

Now, if you weren’t lucky enough to have your name pulled, if you didn’t score the winning bid for a race chip on eBay, or if you are convinced you couldn’t run for 26.2 seconds if your life depended on it, then check out the marathon course map and line up on the curb to cheer the runners on. For first time marathon watchers, here are some tips:

-Do make a creative sign, such as “If Diddy can do it, so can you,” or, our personal favorite, “The dried salt on your face really brings out your eyes.”

-Do cheer for runners by name (note to marathoners: put your name on your shirt with duct tape or stick-on letters that you can buy at Staples.)

-Do say, “Keep up the good pace!” when you can tell a runner is totally dragging.

-Don’t say a variation of, “You can do it, you only have 16 miles left!”

-Do throw on a pair of tennies and hop in the race to run along side your marathoner friend around mile 18 (ie, the wall).

-Don’t say, “Come on runners, no walking!” Especially around mile 22.

-Do volunteer to give hugs around mile 24.

-Do offer runners Tequila shots or cans of beer–it will make them laugh.

-Don’t let runners actually take the Tequila shots or drink the cans of beer–for obvious reasons.

-Do realize that just by showing up to cheer, you will make a difference 37,000 people’s lives. It sounds hokey, but it’s true.

The New York City Marathon is filed under Free Time: Sports (Playing), and Free Time: Events (Annual).